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Quick Answer
AI can be a helpful tool in your MBA application process for brainstorming, proofreading, and organizing ideas, but it should not replace your authentic voice. Admissions committees value originality and personal reflection, so over-relying on AI can hurt your application. The best approach is to use AI responsibly as a support tool, while ensuring your essays and materials reflect your own experiences and goals.
Keep reading for tips on how to use AI wisely in your MBA application and what pitfalls to avoid.
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- How MBA Applicants Are Using AI Today
- The Benefits of Using AI in the MBA Application Process
- The Risks of Relying Too Much on AI
- What Business Schools Say About AI in Applications
- How to Use AI Responsibly in MBA Applications
- Alternatives to AI: Human Feedback and Coaching
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What’s Next?
How MBA Applicants Are Using AI Today
If you’re wondering, “Should I use AI on my MBA application?” you’re not the only one! In fact, many applicants now use AI in MBA applications to do the following:
- brainstorm essay topics, such as ideating on stories, themes, and examples to discuss in application essays
- outline and structure essays, such as organizing notes and thoughts into an outline for MBA essays, using ChatGPT to help streamline the process
- clarify writing, including identifying sentences and passages that need improvement, cutting down verbose sentences, and suggesting tighter phrasing, which is helpful for shorter essays (with 150–250 words)
- proofread to catch grammatical errors and punctuation issues
- polish resumes, such as tweaking bullet points, improving action verbs, and strengthening impact (metrics and outcomes). Specifically, using AI to write an MBA resume can improve the document.
- practice interviews, including researching mock prompts and follow-ups to rehearse structured and concise interview responses
In many ways, AI tools for MBA application prep can help you save time when applying for top MBA programs without sacrificing quality.
KEY FACT:
AI tools can help streamline the development of your application materials.
The Benefits of Using AI in the MBA Application Process
Some of the benefits of using AI to assist with creating your application materials include the following:
- Speed and structure — AI tools can transform an unstructured set of notes into a working outline, streamlining your process so that you spend more time writing and meet application deadlines.
- Idea improvement — AI tools can help you consider new perspectives or examples, especially if you’ve gotten too close and familiar with your story.
- Quality control — AI can improve your grammar, readability, and the flow of your essays.
- Support with iterations — AI tools can help you develop multiple iterations of your essays in a short amount of time.
- Organization — Finally, AI tools can help you manage the application process from end to end. For example, you can avoid MBA application mistakes with AI by using it to create application trackers, timelines, and checklists.
There are several benefits to incorporating AI into your MBA application process. However, relying too heavily on these tools can cause you to sacrifice the authenticity of your materials.
TTP PRO TIP:
AI can support your MBA application process, but relying on it too heavily can undermine your authenticity.
Pros & Cons of Using AI in MBA Applications
Here’s a comparison of the pros and cons of using AI in your MBA applications:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Idea generation: helps expand your possible stories and specific examples | Loss of authenticity:AI-written text and examples can sound generic and inhuman. |
| Grammar checks: will help you catch typos, punctuation, and other potential issues | Ethical concerns: Some MBA programs restrict the use of AI in their applications. Therefore, candidates must read, understand, and follow application instructions carefully. |
| Efficiency: enables faster outlining and iteration over time | Detection risk: Overuse of AI may raise flags with plagiarism and AI detection programs. |
| Brainstorming: prompts may help surface overlooked stories or examples | Lack of personal reflection: Shortcuts using AI may shortchange the introspection that MBA admissions committees expect as part of the application process. |
Take the pros and cons of using AI in your MBA applications seriously. Further, MBA admissions committees know when candidates have used AI. So, use AI tools wisely!
TTP PRO TIP:
Some MBA programs restrict or prohibit AI, so always confirm each school’s policy before using it.
The Risks of Relying Too Much on AI
There are several risks associated with relying too much on AI to create your MBA application materials. Specifically, these risks include the following:
- Generic voice — AI-generated language is obvious. Therefore, if your essays read as though anyone could write them, they’ll hurt your candidacy for the most competitive MBA programs.
- Lack of accuracy — Sometimes, AI tools suggest details or information that simply isn’t true. If you use this information, you’ll damage your credibility.
- Policy violations — MBA admissions and artificial intelligence policies are evolving. However, you need to understand that many schools allow support from AI without authorship. Additionally, violations of these policies can jeopardize your chances for admission to top programs.
- Over-editing — When essays and other application materials are too perfect, they can lack authenticity. Therefore, you should ensure that your materials reflect the way you’d talk and write.
- Overconfidence — Sometimes, AI suggestions aren’t accurate. Additionally, AI-written materials can sometimes be over the top. As a result, you must review your materials carefully and strike the right tone with your writing.
KEY FACT:
If you rely on AI tools too much in your MBA application, you could jeopardize your chances of admission.
What Business Schools Say About AI in Applications
Each MBA program has its own policy on using AI in the application process. Generally, program guidance on AI use aligns around the following themes:
- Originality still matters. MBA admissions committees want to learn about your experiences from your own perspective. Therefore, MBA essay authenticity is a must!
- Limited assistance with AI tools is generally OK. Again, this depends on the program. However, many programs treat AI like any other tool. As a result, it’s often acceptable to use AI tools for proofreading and brainstorming, so long as you are the primary author of your materials.
- Disclose your use of AI tools when required. Review the application instructions for each of your target programs carefully. Then, disclose your use of AI or use citations when requested.
- Honor codes apply. If an MBA program classifies the use of AI tools as cheating, then do not use AI to create your application materials — it’s just too risky!
TTP PRO TIP:
If you’re unclear on what’s fair and what may be considered cheating, email or call the admissions office and ask — better to be safe than sorry!
How to Use AI Responsibly in MBA Applications
What does responsible AI use in MBA essays mean, exactly? Here’s how to use AI responsibly in your MBA applications:
- Start offline and take time to reflect on your experiences. Write a list of examples of leadership, teamwork, growth, failure, impact, and more.
- Use AI to create a structure — not to write a story. For example, use AI tools to outline your essay responses. However, draft the essay in your own words.
- Keep your prompts personal. The better your prompts, the better your output. So, we recommend that you prompt AI tools with specific content. Then, AI will help improve what you already have rather than invent something new.
- Draft your essay first, then use AI to make improvements. After you write a draft, use AI tools to identify where your responses may have gone off-track, exceeded word count, or used the passive voice.
- Read your essays out loud. By taking this step, you can confirm that your written words sound like you. If they don’t, rewrite your essays until they do.
- Follow each school’s policy. If an MBA program bans the use of AI in application materials, do not use AI tools for that application.
- Disclose the use of AI tools when prompted. If application instructions ask for citations or confirmation of using AI tools, provide the truth.
- Use guardrails. Tell AI tools what not to do. For example, prompt your tools not to change your tone of voice or update factual information.
- Get humans to read your final drafts. Ultimately, people will be reading your applications. So, ask a trusted peer, family member, or MBA admissions consultant to review your final drafts.
KEY FACT:
Many candidates now use a combination of their own writing, AI tools, and MBA admissions consultants to develop their MBA applications.
Alternatives to AI: Human Feedback and Coaching
AI can be a powerful and useful tool. However, humans still offer more nuanced feedback and strategic guidance in the MBA application process.
Here are some alternatives to AI tools to consider:
- MBA admissions consultants — Seasoned consultants can stress-test your goals, validate your stories, and align your fit with each of your target programs.
- Peers and mentors — People who know you well can identify areas for improvement to ensure that your materials sound authentic.
- Alumni — Alumni can provide feedback on school-specific information and your fit with the program.
So, should you rely on AI or hire an admissions consultant? Sometimes, candidates choose both options.
Specifically, many applicants use AI for speed, structure, and clarity with their storytelling. Then, they rely on admissions consultants to develop an overall strategy, choose target programs, select stories, and get guidance throughout the application process.
There’s no single “best” way to tackle this process — only what’s best for you and your goals.
Key Takeaways
Essentially, the question “Should I use AI on my MBA application?” may really be asking, “How do I sound authentic while using AI tools?”
The answer is to use AI to support — rather than drive — your process. By doing so, you’ll avoid MBA application ethics AI pitfalls and submit an application that is true to your experiences and goals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use AI to write my MBA essays?
Usually, you can use AI to help. However, you should not rely on AI to write your essays. So, review the instructions for each of your target programs carefully. Then, only use AI for specific tasks, such as brainstorming, outlining, and proofreading. Ultimately, you should draft essays yourself.
Will admissions committees know if I used AI?
If you’re wondering, “Can AI hurt my MBA application?” the answer is yes. Specifically, MBA admissions committees can tell when voice is generic or details feel manufactured — they’ve seen it all! Additionally, some schools use AI-detection and plagiarism tools. So, use AI tools with an abundance of caution.
Is using AI in an MBA application considered cheating?
It depends on the program’s application policy. Therefore, you must review the instructions carefully and follow the honor code and rules. If your target MBA program forbids the use of AI in applications, don’t be tempted to cheat — it’s not worth it!
How can I use AI responsibly when applying to MBA programs?
Keep your use of AI to a support role. Specifically, use AI tools for structure, clarity, and grammar across your application materials. Additionally, review the “How to Use AI Responsibly” section in this article for more information.
Should I rely on AI or hire an admissions consultant?
Generally, AI and admissions consultants will bring different skillsets and perspectives to your MBA application process. So, think of these options as complementary — not competitive. While AI helps speed up certain aspects of your process, a human advisor helps stress-test your goals, stories, authenticity, and fit for the program.
What’s Next?
Are you ready to leverage the best tools and knowledge available to embark on the MBA application process? We’re here to help you design a process that helps you put your best foot forward. Book a free consultation today.
